Drone Reports Temporarily Halt Flights From London’s Heathrow

“We’re reacting to some drone sighting in Heathrow,” the airport stated. “As a preventative measure, we’ve ceased departures while we explore.

London’s Metropolitan Police said that they had received
reports of a drone close to the airport about 1705 GMT on Tuesday, they had
been exploring with airport police.

The airport affirmed about an hour after that take-offs had
resumed. Flight tracker sites showed flights leaving from 1811 GMT.

A Reuters witness at a plane on the runway at Heathrow
stated several aircraft were awaiting permission to shoot off before being told
what things were beginning to move.

Gatwick’s drone snowball – that the most tumultuous yet in a
significant airport – subjected a new vulnerability which will be scrutinised
by security forces, airlines and airport operators around the world.

The British military was made to deploy military
technologies to guard the region around Gatwick, reassuring the airport it was
secure enough to fly.

Authorities said they had been carrying out extensive
investigations round the Heathrow area to spot some men and women who could be
accountable for the functioning of their drone.

“We’re deploying substantial resources – both regarding
officers and gear – to track the airspace about Heathrow and also to quickly
detect and interrupt any prohibited drone action; a number of which can be as a
consequence of learning by the events at Gatwick,” police commander Stuart
Cundy said in a statement.

He said military help was implemented following the sighting
but he wouldn’t offer any additional details as it might undermine the efficacy
of the measures.

British Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said he’d been in
contact Heathrow Airport regarding the drone sighting.

“I’ve spoken to the the Home Secretary and Defence
Secretary and the army are planning to deploy the gear used at Gatwick in
Heathrow quickly if it prove necessary,” he explained.

Both airports reacted to the Gatwick episode by ordering
military-grade anti-drone technology.

Heathrow stated it had been working closely with police
including the authorities and appearing at applicable technology to fight the
danger of drones.

The airport managed 78 million passengers in 2017 and will
be the principal hub for British Airways. Its busiest routes concerning
passenger numbers would be to Dubai and New York-JFK.